Mayor Beng Climaco said she will refer to the City Legal Office the resolution of the City Council slapping a 6-month suspension on the chairperson of barangay Tagasilay in connection with an administrative case, once she receives a copy of the same.

In an interview Thursday morning, the mayor said she has yet to receive a copy of the resolution and that once she gets it, the same will be referred to City Legal Officer Atty. Jesus Carbon for guidance and recommendations.

“The CLO needs to guide us on what needs to be done to implement it,” the mayor said stressing that she likewise received complaints when she visited the barangay in the past specifically related to abandoned infrastructure projects.

The City Council, through the recommendation of the Committee on Good Government approved to suspend Hanisa Francisco, Tagasilay barangay chair to give way to a full blown investigation on the charges of dishonesty and serious act of misconduct filed against her by her councilmen Segundino Perez, Edwin Ibañez, Jamala Muarip, Julmarik Samson and Salam Damang.

A technical issue that City Hall will have to settle is the period of the approval of the resolution which falls under the Election Ban which starts Jan. 10-June 8, 2016 where suspension or termination or even appointment or transfer of local government officials and employees are prohibited.

Apparently, Francisco failed to explain and to reply the complaints hurled against her despite numerous requests from the Council committee on Good government. The matter was first brought to the attention of the City Council in February 2015.

An exemption from the prohibition can be attained through proper representations with the Commission on Elections. — Sheila Covarrubias